212 
ON THE UTILITY OF RESERVE GARDENS. 
to be accomplished with means inconvenient and oftentimes altogether incommensurate 
with the requirements of the case — if this be duly reflected upon, I think it will readily be 
granted that it is a state of things requiring ample amelioration, and therefore the general 
formation of reserve-gardens is suggested, which will not only establish the detail manage- 
ment on a more methodical footing, but will enable much more to be accomplished than 
can possibly be performed under the ordinary circumstances of inconvenience which are 
known to exist. 
Enough has already been said, but much more were it needed might be adduced in 
support of the necessity of an efficient reserve department for every large establishment, 
and even for those of limited extent ; but I will now briefly advert to the choice of a situation, 
extent, &c. 
Local circumstances, and the particular requirements of the case must, of course, be first 
consulted in the formation of a reserve-garden ; the extent, situation, arrangement, and 
utility of which should be commensurate with, and yet rendered subservient to, the main 
features of the establishment. 
In reference to extent (although it would be advisable, or rather indispensable, to enclose 
a space sufficiently ample to admit of growing “ specimens ” of select ornamental trees and 
shrubs, to remedy any defect or deficiency in the pleasure-ground or the arboretum that 
might occur), it is not my intention to suggest the formation of a nursery for rearing all 
kinds of common shrubs and evergreens to supply the extra demand for them that might 
arise from extensive alterations or improvements ; this being altogether a separate con- 
sideration, and one to which these observations are not intended to refer. In general, from 
two or three roods to two or three acres, as the minimum and maximum of extent, will be 
found sufficient for the purpose ; but, as before observed, the sole guide in this respect 
must be local circumstances and local requirements. The choice of a situation, too, must 
often, of necessity, be greatly affected by what may aptly be designated local disadvantages, 
over which, perhaps, there cannot be any immediate or desirable control ; notwithstanding, 
as a general rule, to which however there will doubtless prove many exceptions, the reserve- 
garden should be formed as conveniently in rear of the flower-garden as possible, or rather 
be situate betwixt the latter and the kitchen-garden, so as not to be far remote from either 
of these departments. 
The chosen site should be fully exposed to all aspects (save the north-east, where 
shelter by trees, though at a respectful distance, would be highly advantageous), and if 
altogether concealed amid some extensive shrubbery or back-ground thicket of trees and 
evergreens, so much the better, both for the purpose of protection and concealment ; the 
want or absence of the latter especially being often found the sole “ apple of discord ” in 
the formation of such an useful department. 
The site selected should be surrounded by a wall or some other efficient fence, 
sufficiently high to ensure protection from the ravages of game and vermin of all kinds, 
and, in a general way, a stone or brick wall will be found the most suitable fence to 
accomplish this object satisfactorily, which is of the greatest importance when, as is 
generally the case, the surrounding plantations and shrubberies abound with rabbits and 
hares ; besides, a wall of moderate height w r ould afford considerable warmth and shelter to 
the garden, and prove advantageously useful in many other respects. 
If the ground has been previously occupied by trees, bushes, &c., all surface encum- 
brances must first be removed ; after which a thorough sub-soil drainage must be 
accomplished, and in deeply trenching over the soil to eradicate the roots of trees, &c., the 
surface must be levelled or reduced to an even slope. 
A supply of water for the use of the garden, too, must in this stage of the proceedings 
be artificially secured, unless a reservoir or natural supply that can be at all times 
depended on, is adjacent, and even so it would both be more convenient and under 
control, if introduced by means of a subterraneous drain into one or more reservoirs 
within the enclosure, whence by a similar arrangement, the surplus fluid might flow 
onwards, and afford a supply elsewhere. The advantages of such a distribution of fluid 
where much artificial watering has to be performed, will be at once apparent ; but it is an 
